FAQ

Is there a school type that you think is better than the others?
How can I identify with my child's learning style?
My child is not doing well in school...what are some things I can do?
I'm not sure what my rights are. How can I find out without having to pay an attorney?
What is an Interest and Abilities Map?

Is there a school type that you think is better than the others?

Educational choice has been a hot-button political issue for years. Parent Driven Schools also advocates individual educational choices. In fact, that’s our mission.

Many parents believe they don’t have a choice, that the “one-size-fits-all” public school system is all that’s available to their children. We are for any school that supports the learning needs of your child. Traditional public school may not always be a perfect fit. Today, many options are available. 

We feel the most important question for you is... In which kind of environment would your child flourish?  

There are two types of education. One should teach us how to make a living, and the other how to live."  --  John Adams

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How can I identify my child’s learning style?

Visual Learners:
learn through seeing...

These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expressions to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated textbooks, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.

Auditory Learners:
learn through listening...

These students learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners:
learn through moving, doing and touching...  

Tactile/Kinesthetic students learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

Take a FREE Learning Styles Assessment. 

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My child is not doing well in school…what are some things I can do?

Here are some specific actions you can take that can help the situation:

• Contact your child’s teacher; don’t wait for the school to contact you.
• Get more involved. Ask your child’s teacher for specific activities you can do at home with your child.
• Communicate with the teacher what works best for your child at home.
• Facilitate a partnership with the teacher. Ensure that the teacher immediately tells you if a problem begins to develop.
• Meet with your child’s teacher frequently until the problem has been resolved.
• Once the problem is solved, maintain consistent (if less frequent) contact with the teacher.

When parents become more involved, children get a much clearer sense that a high value is placed on education (it’s not just talk). Quite often this will help alleviate feelings of frustration, inadequacy or hopelessness. This is the essence of the Parent Driven School.

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I am not sure what my rights are. How can I find out without having to pay an attorney?

Here are some links you may want to check out that can provide some insight:

Advocacy Group

Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent
Resource Centers

Parental Rights in Education

No Child Left Behind: Schools Requirements and Parent Rights

What is an Interest and Abilities Map?

An Interest and Abilities Map, or IAM, is a working document that establishes a set of learning goals and objectives that incorporates resources, timelines and a means for evaluation.

To be effective and truly individualized, the IAM must focus on the student’s abilities and interests. This doesn’t mean that if a child has astounding artistic ability, math should be left out of the plan; or if history puts them to sleep, they shouldn’t learn about the American Revolution. The IAM will take these factors into account. The parents and teacher must work with the student to design activities, access resources, and develop learning guidelines that will allow the student the best chance for success in accomplishing his or her learning goals.

The IAM is not widely used in the United States. In fact, a recent survey completed by the Education Commission of the States reported that only 19 states require an IAM. And, even more limiting, these state mandates apply predominantly to children who are at-risk. These 19 states require IAMs as they relate to graduation paths, while about half also require that the plans relate to an employment or career pathway.

As we’re discovering during the initial interviews in our Employability Report Card Project, there is a disconnect between the needs of the workplace and how our schools are preparing young people for those needs. IAMs are an ideal means of preparing our students for the realities of work. In fact, more and more companies and organizations are utilizing IAMs for their employees. Forward thinking companies have discovered that in order to compete in the ever-changing global marketplace, they must be “learning organizations.” Done effectively, the IAM is a success tool that they have adopted.

The “Parent Driven School” calls for an IAM for every student. It best ensures that the needs of the student, parents, and ultimately the outcomes for the institution, are met.

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